Lakeland Rental Costs Have Leveled Off After Huge Spikes, But More Increases Are Expected

Jan 12, 2022 at 6:02 pm

The average cost of rental housing in Lakeland has increased by more than 25.3% since the COVID-19 pandemic emerged in March 2020, Apartmentlist.com reports. But for the second consecutive month, median monthly rents in the city appear to be stabilizing with a negligible 0.7% increase last month, according to the digital platform’s December Rent Report, which followed a decline of 1.2% in city rental rates in November. More

Consumer/ Health

North Lakeland Walmart Is Closed Through 6 a.m. Saturday for Deep Cleaning

Jan 6, 2022 at 4:35 pm News Channel 8

The Walmart on U.S. 98 North in Lakeland will be closed until 6 a.m. Saturday so an outside company can sanitize the store as a COVID-19 precaution, News Channel 8 reports. The store shut its doors at 2 p.m. today, and employees will restock shelves during the closure, Walmart said.

Business/ Consumer

Grocer Aldi Plans to Build a New Store on South Florida Avenue

Dec 21, 2021 at 2:47 pm

Low-frills grocer Aldi is coming to south Lakeland. The international chain is planning to build its second Lakeland store at 4532 S. Florida Ave., currently the site of a Golden Corral restaurant, which is slated for demolition. More

Consumer

Publix Limits Some Items to Two Per Shopper Amid Supply Chain Issues

Nov 22, 2021 at 8:57 pm Fox 35 News

A combination of strong demand and supply-chain disruptions has prompted Publix Super Markets to limit some popular items to two per shopper in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday, Orlando’s Fox 35 reports. Among the limited items: canned cranberry sauce, jarred gravy, canned pie filling, vegetable and canola oil, cream cheese, bacon and rolled breakfast sausage. Check the article for the full list. More

Business/ Consumer

Study: Metro Lakeland’s Housing Market Is Florida’s Most Overvalued

Aug 31, 2021 at 8:54 am The Ledger

Houses in the Lakeland metro area are the most overvalued in Florida and 21st most overvalued in the U.S., according to a new Florida Atlantic University study. Home prices here are 31.39% higher than would be expected based on trends of the last 25 years, the study concluded. One of the professors conducting the study told The Ledger he was unsurprised by the finding because of relatively low housing costs here and projections that metro Lakeland’s population will grow 24% population over the next 10 years. MORE: WFLA | News release | U.S. list | Florida list | Methodology

Consumer/ Health

Unlike Orlando and Tampa Bay, Lakeland Water Is Unaffected by Liquid Oxygen Shortages

Aug 27, 2021 at 3:33 pm

Unlike neighbors in Orlando and three Tampa Bay area counties, Lakeland residents don’t need to worry about COVID-19 treatments affecting municipal water supplies or the taste of drinking water. More

City Hall/ Consumer

City Adds ‘Citizens Action Center’ to Its Mobile App

Jun 21, 2021 at 4:06 pm

The city of Lakeland has updated its mobile app and added new features that let residents alert the city to problems and submit ideas for improvements. More

Health/ Consumer

Consumer Group Dings Lakeland Regional Health on Price Transparency

Jun 16, 2021 at 7:52 am ABC Action News

Thirty of the 73 hospitals in the Tampa Bay area do not comply with a new regulation aimed at making costs more transparent, and Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center is one of them, according to a nonprofit organization monitoring compliance. More

Business/ Consumer

New Publix on County Line Road Will Include Deli Changes, Mezzanine

May 14, 2021 at 6:36 am The Ledger

A new Publix supermarket opening this summer on County Line Road at Pipkin Road will include some new amenities, The Ledger reports. The deli will be located in the middle of the store, and a mezzanine with a balcony will give customers an area to relax, socialize, eat or work using free wifi. (Subscriber-only story)

Consumer/ Events

Introducing Polk’s Most Comprehensive Events Calendar

May 3, 2021 at 7:30 am

LkldNow is introducing a new events calendar, one we think is the most comprehensive listing of things to do in Lakeland and Central Florida. More